Be Here Now (book)

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Be Here Now
Author	Ram Dass
Subject(s)	Spirituality
Publisher	Lama Foundation, San Cristobal, New Mexico
Publication date	1971
ISBN	0-517-54305-2

Be Here Now is the title of a 1971 book on spirituality and meditation by Ram Dass. The title derives from a repeated teaching of his guide and companion, Bhagavan Das.

The book is divided into four sections: Journey: The Transformation, From Bindu to Ojas, Cookbook for a Sacred Life, and Painted Cakes. The first is a short biography of Ram Dass' life, which began as Richard Alpert, and focuses on his meeting with his Guru Neem Karoli Baba, and his transformation into Baba Ram Dass, later Ram Dass. The second, making up the core of the book, is a free-form collection of metaphysical aphorisms accompanied by illustrations. The third is a manual or "cookbook" for enacting certain changes in one's own life and includes various techniques for yoga, pranayama, and meditation, as well as quotations from respected teachers of many religions and spiritual traditions. The last section contains an extensive list of recommended inspirational and self-help books, divided into such sections as "books to hang out with" and "books to visit with now & again."

Still in print, the 416-page book continues to be popular and has sold over one million copies. Be Here Now is considered by many to be a manual for making the transition to a yogic or spiritual lifestyle. The work was originally distributed in pamphlet form by Lama Foundation. In the summer of 1977, Lama Foundation gave the copyright and half the proceeds from the book to Hanuman Foundation to further distribute the energy generated by the book through the projects of Hanuman Foundation.

The core message of Be Here Now, specifically the relationship between temporal consciousness and spiritual identity, has been reiterated by many other authors as well. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and The Book On The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, by Alan Watts, are highly notable examples.^{[citation needed]}

Excerpt:

Now, though I am a beginner on the path, I have returned to the West for a time to work out karma or unfulfilled commitment. Part of this commitment is to share what I have learned with those of you who are on a similar journey. One can share a message through telling 'our-story' as I have just done, or through the teaching methods of yoga, or singing, or making love. Each of us finds his unique vehicle for sharing with others his bit of wisdom. For me, this story is but a vehicle for sharing with you the true message... the living faith in what is possible.^[1]

[edit] See also

• Neem Karoli Baba

[edit] References